Cyclo-Cross

2007-08

While the MTB and BMX branches of cycle sport have gained the favour of the Olympic Committee, cyclo-cross has remained within its own niche. In the past it was dismissed as simply winter training for road racers. But this was seldom, if ever, true for the top level competitors - it was a different branch of the sport.

The fact that many of the top-level competitors have come from just one country - Belgium - has, however, probably limited its international recognition. But recently that has started to change. Belgium is still the top nation but other countries are making progress. Looking at the current calendar there are six US events during December and that compares well to the 1 in Britain, 2 in France and 5 in Switzerland.

I don’t know enough to say whether good US race results are through the increase in events or the events are because the US riders are getting good results; but either way the international competition and recognition are on the increase.

Certainly the great ride last year by Jonathan Page gained a silver medal and almost upset decades of Belgian domination in the Elite World Championships. With Katie Compton and Danny Summerhill also gaining closely-fought 2nd places in the Women’s and Junior’s races, the USA suddenly received the spotlight as a new force in the sport.

So what odds for a non-Belgian elite world champion for 2008? Can cyclo-cross become “big” in the USA? Certainly some of the major bike manufacturers are taking no chances with new cross-specific models planned soon for a store near you.